Looking Back, Looking Ahead
The author of Ecclesiastes spent a lot of time exploring the meaning of life. This “Teacher,” a king of Israel in Jerusalem (traditionally identified as King Solomon), tried it all in his quest for meaning—power and prestige, wealth and women. And, yet, still, he observed that generations come and generations go, but it all seems to be an endless cycle…
We work hard, but we eventually die.
We acquire things, but we eventually die.
We have families, but eventually we die.
Whether we spend our lives doing good or evil, we all eventually die.But he goes on to say:
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLTWhen you gaze up at a star-filled sky, hold a newborn baby in your arms, or hike through a field of wildflowers, you are meant to be reminded of something greater—your Creator.
When you study what’s been recorded in human history or even process your own life, you get glimpses of the bigger picture—but you can still only see so much.
It’s not your job to know everything, but it is your job to trust God.
At the very end of the book, the Teacher shares his final thoughts: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
When you look back on this year, what was beautiful? Even if it was challenging or excruciating, what did God teach you through it?
Regardless of the past or what the future holds, you can trust that God is working—from beginning to end.
Month: December 2023
Review of FRAGILE DESIGNS by Colleen Coble
ABOUT THE BOOK
ISBN-13:9780785253822
Publisher:Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:01/02/2024
Pages:352
There’s only one thing more dangerous than family secrets.
Since her police-officer husband Eric’s mysterious murder, Carly Harris has been struggling to support herself and their infant son. Her career as an antique dealer isn’t sustainable, nor is her dream of becoming a novelist. So when her grandmother proposes she and her two sisters restore the family’s large Beaufort home and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she immediately gets to work clearing out the house. In the process, she uncovers a family secret that Eric kept hidden. And an heirloom that the wrong person wouldn’t hesitate to kill for.
Homicide detective Lucas Bennett isn’t his neighbor’s biggest fan, not since she broke his brother’s heart years ago. But when Carly turns to Lucas for help, believing she’s found a lost Fabergé egg that would be worth millions and that could put her family’s lives in danger, he can’t help but get involved. Soon, they’re entangled in a mystery with threads that lead all the way to the Russian mafia. Lucas has gotten in deep, and while he trusts his ability to keep Carly and her family safe, he begins to realize he’s vulnerable to an unexpected kind of danger. And he’s helpless to stop the freefall. As they continue working closely together, Carly and Lucas realize they may have found something more precious than gold. Yet it’s only a matter of time before Carly—or, worse, someone she loves—gets hurt.
My Thoughts
This book was amazing in every way! It’s a propulsive thriller along with a twisted mystery and a family drama that is expertly woven into the story of a missing Faberge egg. Carly’s husband was killed in a home invasion and she is left to raise their son Noah alone. Her grandmother has a plan to turn her large mansion into a bed and breakfast, something that will support Carly and Noah long after she is gone. In perusing the contents of the attic, Carly makes a remarkable discovery that will change the entire family’s life, if they can survive it, that is. I really enjoyed the characterization; all of the characters were well-rounded and dynamic. Even the bad guys were so well portrayed that I really hated them and their nefarious and deadly deeds. The plot is complicated with family issues, a missing twin and treasures that need to be discovered and protected. The complicated plot was written brilliantly with a sense of intense and edgy suspense that kept me totally engrossed in the story. I really enjoyed getting to know Carly and how giving and loving she was, in spite of how people took advantage of her. I also liked Lucas, the swoonworthy neighbor who doesn’t want to have any kind of relationship outside of protecting Carly and her family. Add to all of this the Russian mob, a swindling family member and so much more! This is a fast-moving book that is captivating, multi-layered and insightful into personalities of the characters and their motivations. I loved this book so much that I was sad when it ended…I just wanted more of the remarkable Tucker family and their head-spinning history.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
AVAILABLE 1-02-24. PURCHASE LINKS:
Joyful
In this season of celebration and joy, it seems that we should ponder the reason for our joy-filled hearts. The Scripture gives the answer.
When we fear the Lord, showing Him the reverence He deserves as our Creator and the One who sustains us, we are joyful. When we follow His ways, we are joyful. How do we know His ways? We read His Word and spend time talking to Him in prayer. You cannot get to know someone when you never communicate with them.
So, instead of a season of joy that lasts a few days or a few weeks, let’s be joyful every day because we know the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and we are following Him, all the way to eternity!
Straining Toward Perfection
Please go to the original post and follow Bruce Cooper. He has great insight into God’s plan for us and how we should respond to God’s grace, love and forgiveness.
My Strength Forever
I say “Yes and Amen, Lord” to this scripture verse. It is one to hold on to when your body seems to be going the wrong way. I laughed the other day when my husband told me that once you turn seventy, your “check engine” light comes on and doesn’t go off. Funny analogy, right? I prefer to think that as I age, the pains remind me that I am closer to my eternal home where there will be no more pain, no more doctors’ visits and no more tears of frustration over yet another medical condition. We cannot hold on to this life, but we can hold on to God and His promises in His Word!
Trusting God through Pain
Have you ever experienced deep pain? Maybe you or someone you know received a painful diagnosis. Or perhaps you or someone you know is living with lifelong pain.
All of us experience pain, sickness, and suffering in our life. It’s part of our human experience because of the effects of sin on creation. Every single person will experience death, pain, and sickness.
However, in the midst of those things, God promises to be with us. The Psalmist gives us an incredible promise in Psalm 73:26. Even though our flesh and heart will fail, God promises to be our strength and portion forever.
That means God is working in our life to strengthen us. Scripture tells us that one day, God will make everything new (Revelation 21:5). The world will be like He intended it to be–free of pain, suffering, and death. God will restore all things.
So, while we experience pain and suffering in this life, we can have hope and look forward to the restoration of all things–especially the resurrection of our bodies. The God who created us from the inside out and knows everything about us will restore our bodies to perfection when we join Him in heaven.
Take a moment to reflect on the frailty of your earthly body. Give thanks to God for creating you and giving you life. Just like the Psalmist, ask Him to be your strength and your portion forever. Remember that He cares for you and loves you. Take hope that one day, He will restore all things, including our pain and suffering.
Serve Him by Serving Others
Honoring the Poor
How different would our world, communities, and homes look if we committed to helping the hurting around us?
The writer of Proverbs, typically considered to be King Solomon, penned these words:
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!”
Proverbs 19:17 NLTThere are those who are financially or materialistically poor. Maybe they were born into a cycle of poverty, have hit hard times, or are physically or mentally sick. But there are also those—like Jesus mentioned in Matthew 5—who are poor in spirit.
Giving generously to those in need, caring for the vulnerable, and living an open-hearted life is the call of every believer.
Jesus echoed this theme in Matthew 25, explaining that good works like feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, showing hospitality to strangers, and visiting the sick or incarcerated will not go unnoticed. In fact, when we do such things, we’re actually serving Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
How wonderful would it be to end poverty, stop hunger, and witness the day when the world is entirely at peace? Eventually, Jesus will make all that is wrong right, once and for all. But until then, we get to keep serving Him and loving others every chance we get.
No one can do everything, but we all can do something.
Genuine followers of Jesus will be compelled by His Spirit to love the people He’s created. And if that’s not enough, we can believe Him when He says that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
John put it this way:
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?”
1 John 3:17 NLTWhen we serve God’s people out of obedience, we’re serving Him!
Good News
When you get a raise or a promotion or a new baby arrives, you cannot wait to share the good news with everyone you know and even some strangers you may meet. The really good news that we should be sharing is the new life made possible because of the arrival of Jesus. On this Christmas Eve, take time to share the reason you are joyous and celebrating. Take time to tell others about your hope, your peace and your Savior!
God Is Everything We Need
Think about what Jesus means to you as you watch this video. He helps us make wise choices, He performs miracles just when we need them and least expect them, He is our Father who holds us close and comforts us when we are hurting, and He gives us the peace we need in the middle of the storms of life. Jesus is our all in all…God sent His son to be our everything.
www.bible.com/reading-plans/22462/day/22
Vickie's Book Nook and Meditation Corner 